Flexible Cellular Structures of a Non-Pneumatic Tire

Author(s):  
Fanhao Meng ◽  
Dengfeng Lu ◽  
Jingjun Yu

Taking the tire of the lunar rover as the research background, this paper provides two design concepts of non-pneumatic tires (NPTs) with a compliant cellular solid spoke component. In this study, a series of degrees of freedom (DOFs) and stiffness analysis of NPTs with cellular structures are investigated with the same vertical loading conditions using a commercial finite element analysis tool, ANSYS. The research found that the tread relative to the hub only has in-plane translational degree of freedom in the radial direction, without other DOFs. According to this finding, using the improved design method based on the existing cellular structures and the synthetic design method based on the principle of compliant mechanism, two cases of cellular structures are designed: (i) cross arcs cell and (ii) rectangular cell. Analysis of the influence of geometric parameters of the cell on the performance of NPTs is critical to further improve the performance of the NPTs. Finally, by optimizing the geometrical parameters of the cellular structure, the performance of the NPTs with the cross arcs cell and rectangular cell can be enhanced.

Author(s):  
Hua Liu ◽  
Xin Xie ◽  
Ruoyu Tan ◽  
Dapeng Fan

Since most of the XY positioning stages with large travel range proposed in previous studies suffer from low out-of-plane stiffness and loose structure, this paper presents a novel two degrees-of-freedom large travel linear compliant positioning stage with high out-of-plane stiffness and compact size. The linear guide compliant mechanism of the stage takes spatial leaf spring parallelograms as the basic units, which are serially connected to obtain large travel, high out-of-plane stiffness, and compact size simultaneously. The theoretical static stiffness and dynamic resonant frequency are obtained by matrix structural analysis. Finite element analysis is carried out to investigate the characteristics of the developed stage. The analytical model is confirmed by experiments. It is noted that the developed stage has a workspace of 4.4 × 7.0 mm2, and the area ratio of workspace to the outer dimension of the stage is 0.16%, which is greater than that of any existing stage reported in the literature. The results of out-of-plane payload tests indicate that the stage can sustain at least 20 kg out-of-plane payload without changing the travel range. And the positioning experiments show that the developed stage is capable of tracking a circle of radius 1.5 mm with 10 µm error and the resolution is less than 2 µm.


2014 ◽  
Vol 556-562 ◽  
pp. 1174-1177
Author(s):  
Xiao Jing Li ◽  
Cheng Si Li ◽  
Di Wang ◽  
Dong Man Yu

Calculation the gear bottom bending strength and the gear surface contacting stress are traditional wheel gear design method. It takes a long time to design and works out parameters for gears system. Nowadays, the optimization design and reliability theory are introduced into modern engineering, we can make full use of the calculator tool to look for the best design parameter. Modern powerful finite element analysis software packages such as ANSYS are now not only an analysis tool but a design tool as well. This kind of technology makes planet wheel gear system design quantified precisely combining with physics principles in one. In the study, we designed a planet carrier with traditional method and built three dimensional full-scale model in Pro/E software. Based on finite element analysis, the finally result of stress distribution and deformation distribution is obtained. The results indicate that the design can meet the requirement.


2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 168781401987954
Author(s):  
Volkan Parlaktaş ◽  
Engin Tanık ◽  
Çağıl Merve Tanık

In this article, a novel fully compliant spherical four-bar mechanism is introduced and its generalized design methodology is proposed. The original fully compliant mechanism lies on a plane at the free position (undeflected position); therefore, it has the advantages of ease of manufacturing, minimized parts, and no backlash. First, the mobility conditions of the mechanism are obtained. The dimensions of the mechanism are optimally calculated for maximum output rotation, while keeping the deflection of flexural hinges at an acceptable range. Using an optimization method, design tables are prepared to display the relationship between arc lengths and corresponding deflections of flexural hinges. Input–output torque relationship and stresses at compliant segments are obtained analytically. A mechanism dimensioned by this novel design method is analyzed by a finite element analysis method, and the analytical results are verified. Finally, the mechanism is manufactured and it is ensured that the deflections of the compliant segments are consistent with the theoretical results.


Actuators ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 292
Author(s):  
Guangbo Hao ◽  
Haiyang Li ◽  
Yu-Hao Chang ◽  
Chien-Sheng Liu

Laser beams can fluctuate in four directions, which requires active compensation by a fast steering mirror (FSM) motion system. This paper deals with the design of four-degrees-of-freedom (DoF) compliant parallel manipulators, for responding to the requirements of the FSM. In order to simplify high-precision control in parallel manipulators, maximum kinematic decoupling is always desired. A constraint map method is used to propose the four required DoF with the consideration of maximum kinematic decoupling. A specific compliant mechanism is presented based on the constraint map, and its kinematics is estimated analytically. Finite element analysis demonstrates the desired qualitative motion and provides some initial quantitative analysis. A normalization-based compliance matrix is finally derived to verify and demonstrate the mobility of the system clearly. In a case study, the results of normalization-based compliance matrix modelling show that the diagonal entries corresponding to the four DoF directions are about 10 times larger than those corresponding to the two-constraint directions, validating the desired mobility.


Author(s):  
Darren Hartl ◽  
Tyler Zimmerman ◽  
Matthew Dilligan ◽  
James Mabe ◽  
Frederick Calkins

This work discusses the increased capabilities of a three-dimensional analysis tool for shape memory alloy engineering components. As the number and complexity of proposed SMA applications increases, engineers and designers must seek out or develop more capable predictive methods. Three-dimensional models implemented in a continuum finite element analysis (FEA) framework can be applied to most SMA component geometries. However, such methods may require fine meshes in 3-D space, resulting in many degrees of freedom and potentially long analysis times. On the other hand, constitutive models implemented in one dimension can be simple and fast, but are restricted to a limited class of problems for which such reductions are appropriate (e.g., rods and beams). More recently, engineers have begun investigating more complex SMA bending components for which 2-D shell elements might provide a computationally efficient FEA discretization. Here we consider a single modeling tool (a material subroutine) that combines 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D implementations for use in a general FEA framework. As an example analysis case, we consider an SMA bending element that has been adhesively bonded to a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) laminate and is subjected to thermally-induced actuation. The active SMA and passive composite components are bonded in a pre-stressed configuration such that the elastic laminate provides a variable restoring force to the SMA during transformation, resulting in repeatable actuation cycles. This two-part bonded configuration is analyzed using different types of finite elements (1-D beam, 2-D shell, and full 3-D continuum elements). The constitutive behavior of the shape memory alloy is defined using an established three-dimensional model based on continuum thermodynamics and motivated by the methods of classical plasticity. A user material subroutine (UMAT) in an Abaqus Unified FEA framework is used to implement the model. The methodology for capturing 1-D, 2-D, and 3-D thermomechanical response in a single such UMAT is described. The run times of the various analyses are compared, and the relative accuracies of the results are discussed.


Author(s):  
Xin Jin ◽  
Guo-Xi Li ◽  
Meng Zhang

Topology optimization and cellular structure infilling are two important approaches to achieve a lightweight design while meeting the relevant mechanical property requirements. In this work, we present a density-variable cellular structure design method combined with topology optimization while ensuring the manufacturability. The effective mechanical properties are reported as functions of the relative density to combine cellular structures with the topology optimization model. The manufacturing constraints are analyzed and expressed in topology optimization. In addition, density-variable cellular structures are rapidly modeled by mapping the topology optimization results to the relative densities of cells and via the use of user-defined features. It is shown by means of finite element analysis that the proposed design approach can improve the mechanical performance compared to the uniform cellular structure under the same weight reduction. And the choice of cell size for higher stiffness of the designed structure varies with different values of manufacturing constraints.


2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Quentin T. Aten ◽  
Shannon A. Zirbel ◽  
Brian D. Jensen ◽  
Larry L. Howell

An underactuated or underconstrained compliant mechanism may have a determined equilibrium position because its energy storage elements cause a position of local minimum potential energy. The minimization of potential energy (MinPE) method is a numerical approach to finding the equilibrium position of compliant mechanisms with more degrees of freedom (DOF) than inputs. Given the pseudorigid-body model of a compliant mechanism, the MinPE method finds the equilibrium position by solving a constrained optimization problem: minimize the potential energy stored in the mechanism, subject to the mechanism’s vector loop equation(s) being equal to zero. The MinPE method agrees with the method of virtual work for position and force determination for underactuated 1-DOF and 2-DOF pseudorigid-body models. Experimental force-deflection data are presented for a fully compliant constant-force mechanism. Because the mechanism’s behavior is not adequately modeled using a 1-DOF pseudorigid-body model, a 13-DOF pseudorigid-body model is developed and solved using the MinPE method. The MinPE solution is shown to agree well with nonlinear finite element analysis and experimental force-displacement data.


2018 ◽  
Vol 923 ◽  
pp. 156-163
Author(s):  
Tian Yuan Yang ◽  
Duo Qi Shi ◽  
Zhen Cheng

This paper establishes a 2D geometrical parameter optimization design method of CMC/metal dovetail joint by using ABAQUS and ISIGHT. Firstly, use the ABAQUS script to finish the 2D geometric parametric modeling and the whole process of the finite element analysis of the simplified dovetail joint in the Python language. Then use ISIGHT software to optimize the 2D geometrical parameters. Finally, compare the optimization results of different optimization methods and get the optimal design parameters. This method is really efficient for the preliminary 2D design of the CMC/metal dovetail.


2014 ◽  
Vol 136 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lennart Rubbert ◽  
Stéphane Caro ◽  
Jacques Gangloff ◽  
Pierre Renaud

The rigid-body replacement method is often used when designing a compliant mechanism. The stiffness of the compliant mechanism, one of its main properties, is then highly dependent on the initial choice of a rigid-body architecture. In this paper, we propose to enhance the efficiency of the synthesis method by focusing on the architecture selection. This selection is done by considering the required mobilities and parallel manipulators in singularity to achieve them. Kinematic singularities of parallel structures are indeed advantageously used to propose compliant mechanisms with interesting stiffness properties. The approach is first illustrated by an example, the design of a one degree of freedom compliant architecture. Then, the method is used to design a medical device where a compliant mechanism with three degrees of freedom is needed. The interest of the approach is outlined after application of the method.


2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 5334-5346
Author(s):  
M. N. Nguyen ◽  
L. Q. Nguyen ◽  
H. M. Chu ◽  
H. N. Vu

In this paper, we report on a SOI-based comb capacitive-type accelerometer that senses acceleration in two lateral directions. The structure of the accelerometer was designed using a proof mass connected by four folded-beam springs, which are compliant to inertial displacement causing by attached acceleration in the two lateral directions. At the same time, the folded-beam springs enabled to suppress cross-talk causing by mechanical coupling from parasitic vibration modes. The differential capacitor sense structure was employed to eliminate common mode effects. The design of gap between comb fingers was also analyzed to find an optimally sensing comb electrode structure. The design of the accelerometer was carried out using the finite element analysis. The fabrication of the device was based on SOI-micromachining. The characteristics of the accelerometer have been investigated by a fully differential capacitive bridge interface using a sub-fF switched-capacitor integrator circuit. The sensitivities of the accelerometer in the two lateral directions were determined to be 6 and 5.5 fF/g, respectively. The cross-axis sensitivities of the accelerometer were less than 5%, which shows that the accelerometer can be used for measuring precisely acceleration in the two lateral directions. The accelerometer operates linearly in the range of investigated acceleration from 0 to 4g. The proposed accelerometer is expected for low-g applications.


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